Absolute Truths: Unshackling the Colonial Mindset

For centuries, the Western narrative has been held as the gold standard of truth, objectivity, and rationality, while indigenous perspectives have been dismissed as backwards or unreliable. This ingrained bias is a lingering legacy of colonial rule, where the British systematically cultivated the idea that Western thought was superior, scientific, and unbiased, while local knowledge was suspect. Even our rediscovery of India’s ancient wisdom—whether Ayurveda, philosophy, or mathematics—gained legitimacy only after Western scholars like Max Müller "validated" it. Our own heritage needed a foreign stamp of approval to be deemed worthy. This psychological conditioning persists today, shaping not just media consumption but also our worldview, scientific temper, and even military assessments.

The recent Western media response to India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan is a glaring example—despite evidence, major media outlets in the West have rushed to discredit India’s claims, framing them as exaggerated or false. The pattern is unmistakable: any assertion of Indian capability is met with scepticism unless validated by Western sources. This is not accidental. The global military-industrial complex thrives on the myth of Western invincibility. If India’s defence successes—be it precision strikes or drone neutralisation—are acknowledged, it challenges the carefully constructed narrative of Western supremacy in warfare technology. Notably, many of these dismissive reports are penned by journalists with Indian names, lending them an air of credibility. This is a calculated move—using native voices to undermine native achievements, reinforcing the colonial hierarchy of truth.

Even in moments of national crisis, we instinctively turn to Western media for confirmation. When Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Rajiv Gandhi, then a young politician, first sought the BBC for updates—a telling reflection of ingrained trust in foreign narratives. Decades later, during conflicts like Operation Sindoor or even general elections, many still tune into the BBC or CNN, as if the truth is only credible when filtered through a Western lens. This reflexive dependence reveals how deeply colonial-era conditioning still governs our minds.

Breaking free from this mental subjugation requires conscious effort. First, Indians must recognise this systemic bias and question why Western validation is deemed essential. Second, media literacy is crucial—understanding that Western outlets, like any other, have geopolitical and economic interests. Third, India must invest in its own narrative-building institutions, fostering independent, evidence-based journalism that does not seek external approval. Finally, pride in indigenous knowledge systems—whether in defence, science, or culture—must be revived with the confidence to assess them critically.

The colonial hangover will persist until Indians stop measuring their worth through a Western lens. True intellectual decolonisation begins when we trust our own evidence, celebrate our successes without apology, and engage with the world as equals, not as seekers of validation.